I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
The Abuquerque Journal reports that about two dozen complaints against the Bernalillo County government have been dismissed. The complaints run the gamut from improper hiring decisions to someone angry because his neighbor’s dogs bark “for no good reason.” Here is the most serious allegation:
Several reports accused county commissioners of involvement in the decision to hire Valdez.
The Journal reported in April that Valdez had been offered a job as a special projects coordinator in the Housing Department, despite a hiring freeze. The county subsequently revoked the job offer.The independent investigator said there wasn’t enough evidence to support filing a formal complaint.
An interview panel had determined Valdez was the most qualified candidate after conducting interviews, the investigator said, and the group made that decision without any influence from commissioners. Valdez “clearly met” the minimum job qualifications, the investigator said.
“At most, Commissioner (Art) De La Cruz asked (County Manager) Thaddeus Lucero if Mr. Valdez could get an interview, a level playing field and a chance to compete for the position,” the investigator said.
“The decision to subsequently rescind the job offer to Mr. Valdez was entirely Mr. Lucero’s decision, and was based on his belief that the hiring had become too political … particularly in the media, and the focus needed to be on the work the Housing Department needed to get done. Mr. Lucero may have asked for the Commissioner’s input, but there is no evidence that any Commissioner attempted to use his or her position to influence the decision.”
